The Irish star was in Toronto, for the premiere of his new film Triage when sister Claudine, who is also his personal assistant, was asked to leave the red carpet so the paparazzi had a clear shot of her brother.

Farrell, 33, took offence and grabbed London-based photographer Joe Alvarez by his neck, shouting: "Do not ever speak to my sister like that".

Sister fury: the actor grabs Alvarez by the neck

Mr Alvarez defended his action: "I was just saying, please can everyone clear the carpet'. He took it personal."